What is COP and Why is it Important?
Over the past two weeks in Belem, Brazil, COP30 was taking place and even though my feed was full of my favorite content creators posting from Belem, headline after headline, and posts about COP30… I still find myself asking: What exactly is COP and why is it so important?
November 24, 2025
Over the past two weeks in Belem, Brazil, COP30 was taking place and even though my feed was full of my favorite content creators posting from Belem, headline after headline, and posts about COP30… I still find myself asking: What exactly is COP and why is it so important? If you find yourself asking similar questions, you're in good company! This blog post walks through the beginnings of COP, explaining why Walking Softer is covering the Conference on social media, and highlighting some positive outcomes. By the time COP31 rolls around, hopefully we will all be a little more informed about what the Conference of Parties is and why it is important for our planet and future!
A Brief History
The history of the Conference of Parties (COP) begins in 1992 when 117 Parties (countries) signed the United Nations Framework Convention On Climate Change (UNFCCC). This agreement created a framework for international cooperation to not only combat climate change, but also cope and adapt with its impacts. Three years later, representatives gathered in Berlin for the very first Conference of Parties (COP1). Since then, the member countries have met every year to negotiate new agreements, renew implementation, and set updated goals for challenges such as biodiversity loss and climate. Today, COP is the largest annual conference on climate with 197 Parties attending the conference.
Why Is COP Important?
With its history in mind, it becomes clear why COP is such an important event today. As the supreme decision-making body of the UNFCCC, the decisions made here directly influence global climate action and the lives of the member nations for the years to follow. While the implementation and outcomes of the decisions made at COP are not immediate, it is still significant that nearly 200 countries gather to negotiate on actions to protect our planet.
This year, Walking Softer Young Leaders Award Alum, Pooja Tilvawala covred COP30 on social media. Her work aligns closely with Walking Softer’s mission to inform, inspire, and support Changemakers in taking bold and immediate action in the conservation and regeneration of our planet. And what better place to do that than the largest climate gathering? With such consequential conversations taking place, it feels important to uplift Changemakers like Pooja - who are not only participating and contributing to the COP process, but also creating content that helps others to better understand what happens at COP.
Historic Positive Outcomes
- Kyoto Protocol (1997) : A protocol legally binding developed country Parties to emission reduction targets.
- Buenos Aires Action Plan (1998) : Established timelines for finalizing work and advancing efforts on Kyoto mechanisms and implementation.
- Copenhagen Accord (2009) : Agreement that acknowledged the need to limit global temperature rise to below 2°C. Secured initial emission pledges from major economies and included a commitment to provide climate finance for developing countries.
- Paris Agreement (2015) : International treaty legally binding countries to limiting global heating to below two degrees.
- Glasgow Climate Pact (2021) : Aiming to turn the 2020s into a decade of climate action and support by strengthening efforts to build resilience, curb emissions, and provide necessary finance for both.
- Loss and Damage Fund for Vulnerable Countries (2022) : Agreement to provide “loss and damage funding for vulnerable countries hit hard by climate disasters.
- Transition from Fossil Fuels (2023) : Agreement that lays the ground for a swift, just, and equitable transition away from fossil fuels.
-Allyssa Salcedo
Subscribe to the Walking Softer email newsletter
Be the Changemaker - join our email list for the latest news and opportunities.